Relaxed Fashion Trends for the 2020s: Get Gorgeous with Loose & Comfy!

Say goodbye to the tired old trends of the 2010s, and get ready to embrace the new decade with a fresh, fun, and "comfy" new spring in your step.

After years of pouring ourselves into the overly clingy bodycon styles of the past decade, it's a joy to announce that the fashion world is moving forward -- by going back to basics. Pieces with fluid movement and inviting wearability are coming back in a big way! Who wouldn't want to incorporate such an easy, elegant trend into their fashion repertoire?

Fabulous relaxed dusty pink sweeping tunic with cap sleeves, polka dot trim, and the most darling little pocket. Designed by Loose N’ Comfy, this piece is gorgeous and oh so comfortable.

These days it's all about stylish pieces that flow and flatter. The warm, inviting designs of Loose N' Comfy aren't just easy to wear, they're very on-trend. (Our pick: this sweeping rose-pink tunic with cap sleeves, fun polka dot trim, and beautifully feminine ruffled pocket.) The designer is a creative spirit and truly talented artisan. Her designs are unique -- each handmade piece is envisioned to embody comfort as well as style, and made in-house at the L&C studio with tender loving care.

And if you do decide not to ditch your body con style leggings or favorite skinny jeans, we wouldn't blame you... Loose N' Comfy pieces instantly elevate all of the pieces in any ensemble to a higher level. Enjoy this iconic style that makes all body types look and feel fabulous!  Check out their website today!

Ashley Cole is a Blogger to Watch!

Ashley Cole bravely takes risks to
entertain and teach his readers. 

On any typical Monday morning, the average citizen of the world rolls out of bed and prepares for another boring start to a run-of-the-mill week. A quick glance at any news headlines will show a lot of the same happenings, only with different headlines designed to capture each reader’s attention. Regardless of the news source, each and everyone of these people have something in common: they are overwhelmed. Bad news seems to be the most sensational topic on any newspaper page in modern times.

Blogger Ashley Cole is on a one-man mission to change that boring narrative. He takes risks with his writing, and it shows. Armed with a sharp wit, a light heart, and a sparkling sense of humor, Ashley is taking the blogging world by storm. His articles are amusing, but always filled with interesting insights about the human condition, and how we can all enjoy life to the fullest as we strive to be our best selves.

Ashley uses intelligence and humor to motivate his readers while educating them as well. His articles aren’t just catchy headlines; there’s a heart of gold in every one. “They’re fun, light reads with hidden life lessons and inspiration,” he explains of his articles.

With the launch of Ashley’s new project, website ItsAshleyCole.com, he’s passing his wisdom and wit along to all readers who are interested in coming along for the ride. Check out his website, but be warned, your laughter may cause a distraction for those around you. Enjoy it responsibly!

New Business Strategies, New Profits

Last week, one of my clients -- we'll call him Rick -- had a demo scheduled with a prospect. The standard "show up and throw up" they typically did early in the sales cycle.

Trying to shorten the sales cycle, I asked naively, "Why does the customer want to buy? What are they trying to accomplish?" Rick couldn't tell me. I asked if he thought the salespeople knew. He said no. I gave him an assignment: he had to find out "Why," "Why now," and "What's it worth." Otherwise no demo.

In other words, no compelling reason to buy... No demo.

So Rick took a risk, and is rapidly moving to a fully-paid trial implementation.

Sure, long-term objectives and plans still matter, but I've been getting more and more inquiries focused on "what to do now." Entrepreneurs and executives alike are demanding help on how to improve revenues and profits right away.

How do you make the quickest difference? Focus the bulk of your energy on revenue generation. In other words, sales! And don't do it the same old way either, because  --  as you may have noticed  --  it isn't working that well.

Here are five ways for your sales force to bring in more business in short order. There are no magic bullets, but just last week I taught one of these techniques to a client (#2) and he used it to close a deal the following day! Use one or use them all. Each technique will have its own effect, and each will multiply the power of the others.

1. Sell return on investment, and sell it to the CFO.

Sales people are complaining that while the pipeline may be full, the deals are taking too long to close. Perhaps that's why the pipe is so full! What are the reasons for this? Companies have money, and in many cases they have needs. But many people are so scared THEIR customers aren't going to buy THEIR wares, they are loath to spend any money themselves. The result? They are only willing to spend money when they absolutely see near-term financial payback, and the CFO is killing many deals.

The solution? Sell the return on investment. Sell the payback. And sell it to the CFO. Arm your salespeople with two things: A series of case studies that document the returns from using your product, and a well-defined ROI process worksheet. Work with the CFO to build the ROI case so that he or she owns it. This is the only way they come to believe it. Make it their idea and instead of killing your deal, they will help you close it.

2. Forget USP. Determine your Usage Cases

Instead of focusing on why your product is the latest and greatest, clarify the ways in which potential customers will use your product to solve specific problems and produce tangible results. Then, instead of touting the "benefits" of your product -- which often fall on deaf ears, anyway -- engage your prospects in conversations about what costly and quantifiable problems they now have, and how they might use your product or service to alleviate those.

Crystal Healing for Energy Addicts

Crystals and other gemstones have been used since ancient times.  We can use them to improve our physical health, our wealth, our emotional stabilities, and our surroundings.  In order to find the right crystal for the job, focus on the issues you're experiencing, and let your intuition guide you toward the right crystal.  If you are choosing a crystal for somebody else, simply focus on them, try to feel their energies, and select the one that seems to be the right fit.  You'll know when you get the right crystal: maybe you'll feel that special "spark"... it will feel right.  Just use your instincts and you can't go wrong.

After you have first acquired your crystal, you will need to program and consecrate the crystals before using them.  Begin by cleansing the crystal.  After that, it is time to consecrate the crystal.  Envision it being surrounded by a bright light in your personal power color (or white, if you're unsure which color to use, as it's a good all-purpose cleansing color).  It's also a good idea to voice the dedication out loud; it helps to ground you and underscores your purpose.  Your statement doesn't need to be fancy; it can be something simple like "I dedicate my crystal to good work, positivity, and healing.  May this crystal be used with love and peace."  That's all you really need to dedicate the crystal.  When you program the crystal, it is time to specify what you'd like.  Holding it in your hands, say "I now program this crystal for..." and state the purpose of your crystal.  Program the crystal for anything you want, such as physical healing of a specific health condition, relationship help, reducing stress of anxiety -- by all means, voice them as specifically and with as much detail as you like.  This is an important step; the crystal needs to "know" what you want it to do, after all!  You can repeat the programming as many times as you need.

The Pathway to Higher Intuitive Senses

Have you had that experience when all of a sudden you just had this huge hunch that something is about to happen, and to your surprise, that intuition was eventually translated to reality?

When you feel strongly about something without logical basis to it, that's called intuition. It comes in three impressions: clairvoyance or "the third eye", sensing clearly and feeling through listening.

Clairvoyance is when your eye goes beyond what it can see. This is when you know what is happening somewhere.

Sensing clearly is basically what we refer to as "hunch" or "gut feel." This is the time when you are overwhelmed with a feeling and you can't explain it and all you can say is "I just know."

On the other hand, feeling through listening or clairaudience is being able to "listen" between the lines. Intuition also happens at times when a certain sound, whatever it is - be it a car's honk or a bird's twitting - ushers in an intense feeling.

They say only a number of people are gifted with intuition. Astrologers even insist that people born under the Scorpio or Pisces signs are naturally intuitive it almost borders on E.S.P. But studies have been sprouting left and right that proclaim that anyone can develop intuition.

Why the need to develop intuition, you ask? Why not let your emotional and psychological state as it is? First and foremost, intuition promotes good communication. It makes you more sensitive to the people around you; it often keeps you from hurting those you love because you are intuitive enough to understand them. Intuition also makes you far more creative than ever. Intuition means releasing more creative juices for any means of expression. Lastly, intuition has a healing power. This healing power is not in the physical sense, but in delving deep into your soul to eradicate some negative energy buried in it.

With that being said, are you ready to develop your intuition? Here are some ways to unlock this gift:

1. Hypnosis

Oh yes, get yourself hypnotized. Hypnosis is not limited to watching a pendulum move back and forth. Perform self-hypnosis or you can avail of hypnotic programs that can strengthen your intuition.

2. Meditation

Meditating means finding peace in yourself. If your mind and heart are cluttered with too many baggage and hurt,  you wouldn't be able to quiet down that part of you that could eventually initiate intuition. There are so many ways to meditate: take a yoga class, or just simply practice some breathing that could bring you straight to Zen.

3. Think positive!

A worry-free, fear-free state could do so much to improve your intuitive ability. By staying positive, you attract good energy that would be able to easily recognize imminent feelings and events.

4.  Just let go.

What does this mean? If you are on the brink of making a huge decision, let go of all the inhibitions and head to a quiet place where you could find out where the letting go has brought you. Sometimes you just have to listen to the voice within you, and that voice wouldn't come out unless you let go.

5. Never expect.

After letting go of the inhibitions and all those things that stop you from thinking and feeling clearly, never expect for an answer right away. Never expect that the "hunch" would fall on your lap immediately. Give it a little time then you'd just get surprised that -- wham! -- now you have your answer.

6. Believe in your first impressions.

When you see someone for the first time and think that he is a bit too arrogant for your taste, chances are that impression actually holds true. Most of the time, first impressions are brought by intuition.

7. Stay happy!

See? All you need to be intuitive is to stay happy! Happiness attracts immense power and such power includes intuition. In tapping your intuition, your motivation must be happiness and contentment. Given that premise, intuition will fall to you easily.

Intuition is helpful, because sometimes it leads you to something that cannot be achieved otherwise. A lot of lives have been saved by intuition alone. Decisions are easier done if armed by this gift. Develop intuition now and reap benefits you have never imagined.